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UNPUBLISHED CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN 
THOMAS JEFFERSON AND SOME 
AMERICAN JEWS. 

Contributed by Max J. Kohler. 






Reprinted from 
Publications of the 
American Jewish Historical Society, 
No. 20, 1911. 

























UNPUBLISHED CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN 
THOMAS JEFFERSON AND SOME 
AMERICAN JEWS. 

Contributed by Max J. Kohler. 

Several interesting letters exchanged by Thomas Jefferson 
with Jews of his day have heretofore appeared in these Pub - 
lications (No. 2, p. Ill; No. 3, pp. 94, 95; No. 4, pp. 221- 
222; No. 10, pp. 103 et seq., 167-168), the correspondence 
between our leading champion of the separation of Church 
and State and Isaac Harby, Mordecai M. Noah and David S. 
Franks, being particularly noteworthy. Jefferson’s relations 
with the Jews of America were also touched upon by the 
present writer in his paper, “ Some Phases in the History of 
Religious Liberty with Particular Reference to the Jews.” 
(Publications, No. 11, p. 71; cp. No. 2, p. 92; No. 3, pp. 97, 
98). The publication, since these articles were prepared, 
of the “ Calendar of Jefferson Correspondence,” issued by the 
Bureau of Rolls, Library of the State Department, gave evi¬ 
dence of the fact that there were other letters exchanged be¬ 
tween Jefferson and Jews of his day, preserved in the col¬ 
lection of “ drafts of letters ” from Jefferson and letters re¬ 
ceived by him in the collection referred to. These are now 
deposited in the Library of Congress, and transcripts have 
been secured and are published here. 


Jefferson and Joseph Marx, of Richmond. 

I. 

[Jefferson Papers. Series 2, Vol. 62, p. 40.] 

A. L. S. Marx to Jefferson. 

Richmond 3d July 1820 
Sir 

I uvail myself of the conveyance afforded me by Governor Ran¬ 
dolph to transmit and to request your acceptance, of the Volume 

11 


12 


American Jewish Historical Society. 


containing the proceedings of the Sanhedrin, convened by order 
of the Emperor Buonaparte. 

Should any part of their Deliberations, or Sentiments expressed 
by any Member of that Body, tend to confirm the liberal and en¬ 
lightened views, expressed by yourself, of that persecuted Race, 
when last I had the honor and pleasure of an interview, it will 
prove to me a source of high gratification. 

I am with Sentiments of profound Respect 
Sir 

Your most Obedient Servt. 

Thomas Jefferson Esqr. Joseph Marx. 


II. 

[Jefferson Papers. Series 2, Vol. 62, p. 45.] 

Jefferson to Marx. 

Th: Jefferson presents to Mr. Marx his compliments & thanks 
for the Transactions of the Paris Sanhedrin, which he shall read 
with great interest, and with the regret he has ever felt at seeing 
a sect, the parent and basis of all those of Christendom, singled 
out by all of them for a persecution and oppression which prove 
they have profited nothing from the benevolent doctrines of him 
whom they profess to make the model of their principles and 
practice. 

He salutes Mr. Marx with sentiments of perfect esteem and 
respect. 

Monticello, July 8, 20. 

III. 

[Jefferson Papers. Series 2, Vol. 62, p. 36.] 

A. L. S. Marx to Jefferson. 

Richmond 8th December 1817 
Sir 

I recently recieved a Consignment of Cloths shipped by Mr. 
Richard Flower, of Marden, England, for account of his Brother 
Mr. George Flower, who has the honor of being known to you. 
that Gentleman lately embarked for Europe, his absence caused 
the letter from his Brother to be placed in my hands, who therein 
says “You will recieve 2 y 2 yards of my best cloth, which you 
will present if you please to Mr Jefferson, as a small token oi my 
Esteem & Gratitude, for his kindness to you ” 


Thomas Jefferson and American Jews — Kohler. 13 

In compliance therefore with that Gentlemans wishes, and in 
the hope, that the mode he has adopted, of evincing his Gratitude, 
and the high Respect he entertains for your Character, will not 
be recieved as taking too great a liberty, I have forwarded the 
parcel, and avail myself of the occasion, to subscribe myself with 
the highest Respect 

Sir 

Your most obt Servt 

Thomas Jefferson. Esqr. Joseph Marx. 


IV. 

[Jefferson Papers. Series 2, Vol. 62, p. 42.] 

A. D. Jefferson to Marx. 

Monticello. Deer. 25, 17 

Th: Jefferson presents his thanks to Mr. Marx for the trouble 
he has been so kind as to take in forwarding to him the cloth 
from Mr. Flower, it is safely at hand and it’s highest value is 
placed in the motives of the giver, whose great personal worth 
was consideration sufficient for any services it was in the power 
of Th: J. to render him. He salutes Mr. Marx with esteem & 
respect. 

Endorsement: Marx, Joseph. Dec. 25, 17. 


V. 

[Jefferson Papers. Series 2, Vol. 62, p. 43.] 

A. L». S. . Jefferson to Marx. 

Poplar Forest near Lynchburg 


Aug. 24, 19 
Sir 

I inclose you a renewal of the two notes of 10,000 / each, for 
which I am by endorsement responsible to the U. S. bank, for 
Colo. W. C. Nicholas. I do this on his information that it will 
be received as sufficient for 60 days; within which term I will 
execute a bond jointly with him for the amount of these notes, 
with a third person made acceptable to the bank, in seeking for 
a 3d. name my reluctance at placing any friend in the state of 
uneasiness in which this responsibility would place him, is in¬ 
superable. I greatly prefer therefore what I am told will be 
acceptable to the bank, to make a 3d name competent by a 
conveyance of real property abundantly sufficient to cover the 

3 


14 


American Jewish Historical Society. 


debt. My grandson Thos. J. Randolph is the person whom I 
should use with the least scruple in this business and I will 
acc [torn out] ly convey lands amply sufficient for this debt, to 
him in trust for it’s payment, & as a special security to the bank, 
applicable to no other purpose. While this makes him sufficient 
as a security, all the rest of my property is responsible for the 
same debt, on the ground of my being separately bound. That 
it is sufficient for many times this amount is probably known, 
and I assure you on my honor that not a dollar’s worth of it is 
under incumbrance to any mortal or for any purpose. You shall 
receive the bond and a copy of the deed immediately after my 
return to Monticello, which will be within 3 or 4 weeks. Accept 
the assurance of my great respect and esteem. 

Th. Jefferson 

Mr. Joseph Marx. 


VI. 

[Jefferson Papers. Series 2, Vol. 62, p. 37.] 

A. L. S. Marx to Jefferson. 

Richmond 2d. Sept. 1819 
Sir 

I communicated the contents of your letter under 24th Aug. to 
the Board of Directors of the office of D & D, at this place, they 
very readily accepted the security proposed by yourself. I annex 
a Copy of their resolution. In regard to the discount, I take it 
for granted, that Colonel Nicholas will embrace that hereafter 
in his intended general settlement, in the [?] while the Rules 
of the office require, that the discount be paid, untill the proposed 
general arrangements be complete. 

I have applied one of the Notes enclosed in your favor under 
24th, to retire the Note upon which form required a Protest, the 
other will be used to meet the one due the 15th Instant. 

Whilst I lament the present occasion which has procured me 
the honor of a letter from you, permit me to add that I shall feel 
much gratification in being made usefull to you here, upon mat¬ 
ters more agreable to yourself. 

With Sentiments of the highest Respect 
Sir 

Your most obt Servt 


Thomas Jefferson Bsqr. 


Joseph Marx 


Thomas Jefferson and American Jews — Kohler. 15 


[Resolution annexed to letter of Sept. 2, 1819.] 

Resolved that the Bond & Security proposed by Mr. Jefferson 
will be considered satisfactory. The Bond being made payable 
on demand and bearing interest from date, payable semian¬ 
nually—The parties to the Bond to be jointly & severally bound. 
The Note discounted this day & any other passed before the 
Bond is executed will require that the amount of discount be 
paid by Mr Jefferson unless paid by Colonel Nicholas, as also 
the cost of Protest on the one Protested.— 

15 Sept. 1819— 


VII. 

[Jefferson Papers. Series 2, Vol. 62, p. 44.] 

A. L. S. Jefferson to Marx. 

Monticeixo Sept. 20, 19. 

Dear Sir 

The kind offers of service in your letter of the 2d. in my un¬ 
fortunate responsibility for Mr. Nicholas, induce me to take the 
liberty of passing the inclosed papers thro’ you to the bank of the 
U. S. They are 1st. a joint and several bond for the debt. 2, a 
plat of the lands I have conveyed to my grandson in trust for 
securing the debt, certified to be amply sufficient by gentlemen 
knowing the lands, & known themselves in Richmond. 3, a copy 
of the deed to my grandson, the original being retained to be 
recorded, of which record I will send the bank a certificate as 
soon as the forms will admit. The lands conveyed comprehend 
my best plantation in Bedford—every foot of them is or has been 
tobacco lands, & still in good condition, some of the certifiers 
were of opinion that when the regular intercourse of buying & 
selling shall be restored at fair prices, they would sell for 40 D. 
the acre, & none thought less than 30 D. I will add that these 
are not a fourth in value or quantity of my property in that 
county, and that what I hold there is not equal to my possessions 
here. I do not say this vauntingly, but to satisfy the bank that 
if I am ultimately to meet this loss they will be safe in any in¬ 
dulgences they may extend to me to lessen the sacrifice by giving 
time to obtain a fair price for the property which would be to 
be sold for that purpose. I was not aware that one of the notes 


16 


American Jewish Historical Society. 


fell due on tlie 15th hut I have given that date to the bond, to 
prevent any chasm in time. 

I salute you with great esteem & respect. 

Th. Jefferson. 

Mr. Marx. 

P. S. my express of this morning to Mr. Nicholas for his 
signature to the bond, not being returned and the mail-hour at 
hand, I close my letter without it. if it does not come in time, 
it shall follow by the mail of Saturday. 

Note it arrived & was sent in the evening under another cover. 

VIII. 

[Jefferson Papers. Series 2, Vol. 62, p. 39.] 

A. L. S. Marx to Jefferson. 

Richmond 27th Sept. 1819 
Sir 

The papers enclosed in your letter under the 20th as also the 
Bond, have been delivered at the office of the United States Bank. 
The members of the Board of Directors are fully satisfied of the 
ample security offered, and of the promptness with which the 
call has been met. 

The Counsel for that Institution has pointed out some desirable 
alterations, which however appear to be matter of Form, not 
affecting the substance, particulars of which the President or 
Cashier will hand you by the next Mail, in the mean it were 
probably best to postpone recording the Deed as intended. 

I have the honor to be Respectfully 
Sir 

Your most ob St. 

Thomas Jefferson Esqr. Joseph Marx. 


IX. 

[Letters of Jefferson. Series 2, Vol. 62, p. 41.] 

Marx to Jefferson. 

Mr. Marx unites with Mr. Brown in presenting their Respects 
to Mr. Jefferson, their attendance at Court being required this 
morning, and their anxiety to return so soon as dismissed, will 


Thomas Jefferson and American Jews — Kohler. 17 

prevent their accepting Mr. Jefferson’s Invitation of which they 
will be happy to avail themselves at some future Period. 

Friday morning. 

Endorsement: Marx & Brown, June 8, 21. 

Jefferson and Moses Myers, of Norfolk. 

X. 

[Letters of Jefferson. Series 6, Vol. 8, p. 40 (105).] 

A. L. S. Myers to Jefferson. 

Norfolk June 1st, 1802 
Sir 

Permit me the Honor to Introduce Admiral Hartsinck (Com¬ 
manding the Squadron of the Batavian Republic in Hampton 
Road, & for which I am agent) to your Civilities. The object 
of the Admiral’s Journey is to pay you his Personal respects & 
I am happy Sir to Inform you that the Impressions on his mind 
are very favorable indeed as relates to our Country—which has 
been very flattering to me— 

The Admiral will be extremely Gratified in the honor of Your 
personal acquaintance & I have taken the Liberty to assure him 
you would be glad to see him. 

I have the Honor to be with much respect Sir 

Your very obt. St. 

Thomas Jefferson Esq. Moses Myers 


XI. 

[Jefferson Papers. Series 1, Vol. 5, p. 298.] 

A. C. S. Jefferson to Myers. 

Germantown [Date illegible.] 
Sir 

According to my engagement I now inclose you 186 Doll, thirty 
six cents = £55—18—3 Virginia money to be passed to the credit 
of Mrs. Carr. You will readily perceive that your endorsement 
on the inclosed bank note will make it cash to any person wishing 
to remit to Philadelphia. The Custom house officers particularly 
take up these notes by a general arrangement. I am Sir 

Your most obedt. Servt. 

Thos: Jefferson. 


18 


American Jewish Historical Society. 


Jefferson and the Cohen Family. 

XII. 

[Jefferson Papers. Series 2, Vol. 17, p. 78.] 

A. L. S. Cohen to Jefferson. 

His Excellency Thos. Jefferson. 

Honored Sir 

Regarding you as the Patron of Arts & Sciences in our Infant 
Country, I am Led to take the Liberty of offering to your Notice 
an Institution which If favoured with your approbation will I 
flatter myself produce a Publick Good, as Such am Confident it 
will Need no other Commendation to Merit your Patronage.— 
The Beneficial Effects derived from the Use of Mineral Waters, 
which have become celebrated by affording relief in cases were 
most other remedies have failed, has Induced the most Celebrated 
Chemists to ascertain by a correct Annalysis those Beneficial 
properties & by Chemically combining those parts, to produce by 
Art, what Nature hath so bountifully bestowed and so far have 
they Succeeded, as to Merit a decided preference of the Artificial 
to the Natural Waters by Increasing their Active properties and 
Excluding foreign particles not Necessary but rather detrimental 
to Health—you respected Sir who are so well Acquainted with 
the principles of Philosophy are well aware of the difficulties at¬ 
tending this process in order to Sufficiently Impregnate the 
Waters with the Gaseous & which is Indeed the most Active prin¬ 
ciple in most of the Celebrated Waters, how far I have succeeded 
in this difficulty have Taken the Liberty of submitting to your 
Inspection by forwarding you a Specimen of the Balls Town, 
Pyrmont Soda-Water, and also refer you to the Hon. Lemuel 
Sawyer (to whom we had the Honour of forwarding an assort¬ 
ment) for some of the Seltzer, of which am at present out of a 
Supply. This being the most highly Impregnated Water contain¬ 
ing from 250 to 300 p. ct. of the Carbonic Acid Gas, a Quantity 
seldom attained or Exceeded by any attempt in Europe.—The 
Happy Effects derived from their Use have been already Evinced 
by an approving Publick & Testimonies of the most Celebrated 
& Eminent Chemists & Medical Characters in this City—yet in 
order to Give it all the Advantage that might result It requires 
the aid of a Larger Capital than in my power to afford. To ren- 


Thomas Jefferson and American Jews — Kohler. 19 

der it of that Extensive Utility, to prove a Publick Benefit the 
aid of a Capital from 10 to 15000 doll, would Accomplish the 
object of erecting a Suitable Building, in which fountains would 
be Placed (as the Waters are now delivered) and would be 
sufficient to furnish a Supply to the United States or also to 
furnish them Gratuituously to the Poor to whom the Physicians 
might deem it Necessary.— 

Under your Auspices & favour respected Sir this might be 
amply Effected & the Name of a Jefferson recieve an additional 
tie to the Debt of Gratitude from his fellow Citizens already so 
Largely Incured. Those fountains of Health flowing through his 
Patronage would Claim the Benedictions of relieved Sufferers, 
and thus afford an additional solace to a retirement where the 
Prayers, & Gratitude of the Worthy & Good will always follow 
you.—I now submit an outline of the Plan for your Approval. 
The above Sum to be divided into shares of 50 doll, each, payable 
in Installments, the Subscribers to be entitled to Exclusive privi¬ 
leges & receive the amount to themselves or order in Mineral 
Waters, at a deduction of 20 p. ct. from the selling price, your 
approval & patronage, joined to the respectable characters in this 
City will fully enable me to accomplish this object & dedicate an 
Institution to you Whose Virtues an applauding world will Never 
cease to Emulate and which the Voice of Envy cannot Tarnish— 
Nor shall any Exertion on my Part be Wanting to Render the 
Establishment Worthy of the Honour & prove the Gratitude of 

Yr Respectfull Obt. Serv. 

Phil: Deer. 21, 1807. Abraham Cohen. 

No. 31 So. 2d. Street. 


XIII. 

[Jefferson Papers. Series 2, Vol. 17, p. 79.] 

Jefferson to Cohen. 

Washington Feb. 10, 08. 
Sir 

I have not been able sooner to acknolege the receipt of your 
letter of Dec. 21. which did not come to hand till Jan. 27 nor to 
return you my thanks for the mineral waters which came with it. 
I am happy to learn that these productions of nature can be suc¬ 
cessfully imitated by art, and that something may thereby be 


20 


American Jewish Historical Society. 


added useful to mankind. Of the degree of that utility, I ac¬ 
knowledge myself not a judge, being little acquainted with the 
composition of these waters, and still less with their effects on 
the human body, a consciousness of this would make it too pre¬ 
suming in me to suppose that any connection of my name with 
an establishment for their preparation would be a recommenda¬ 
tion of them to the public. They would be sensible that it is 
out of my line and would view it as neither favorable to myself 
or the medecine. The names of the celebrated Physicians of 
Philadelphia are those which would give a just reputation to these 
waters, and present them with authority to the notice of the 
public. Giving every just praise therefore to the efforts you have 
so meritoriously exerted in perfecting a preparation which may 
relieve the afflicted from some of their sufferings, I feel it a duty 
to leave it’s fortunes & it’s direction in the hands of those so 
much better qualified to promote it’s success: and I pray you to 
accept my best wishes for that, & my respectful salutations. 

Th: Jefferson 

Mr. Cohen. 


XIV. 

[Jefferson Papers. Series 2, Vol. 73, p. 17.] 

A. L. S. Cohen & Bros, to Ritchie. 

Baltimore, Feb. 16, 1826. 

Chas. Ritchie Esq., Richmond Va. 

Sir 

Noticing that a proposition is before the legislature of Vir¬ 
ginia having for its object a grant to Thos. Jefferson Esq. to dis¬ 
pose of property by letters we take the liberty of tendering the 
services of this office as well as our Offices in Newyork—Penn¬ 
sylvania, Virginia & South Carolina and our agencies in the sev¬ 
eral other States of the Union in furtherance of the views of Mr. 
Jefferson should the General Assembly of Virginia accede to the 
memorial. 

You will please communicate the purport of this to such friends 
of the memorial as you may deem proper. 

Very Respectfully, 

Cohen & Bros. 


Thomas Jefferson and American Jews — Kohler. 21 

(3 

[Jefferson Correspondence. Vol. 6, p. 119.] 

Jefferson to Dr. De La Motta. 

[September 1, 1820.] 

Th. Jefferson returns his thanks to Dr. De La Motta for 
the eloquent discourse on the Consecration of the Synagogue of 
Savannah, which he has been so kind as to send him. It excites 
in him the gratifying reflection that his country has been the 
first to prove to the world two truths, the most salutary to human 
society, that man can govern himself, and that religious freedom 
is the most effectual anodyne against religious dissension: the 
maxim of civil government being reversed in that of religion, 
where its true form is “ divided we stand, united, we fall.” He 
is happy in the restoration of the Jews, particularly, to their 
social rights, and hopes they will be seen taking their seats on 
the benches of science as preparatory to their doing the same 
at the board of government. He salutes Dr. De La Motta with 
sentiments of great respect. 


XVI. 

[Jefferson Papers. Series 2, Vol. 30, p. 8.] 

A. L. S. Delamotte to -. 

Havre 7 Juillet 1819 

Monsieur 

J’apprends par M. Short que vous avdz fait une maladie dange- 
reuse dont vous etes entierement retabli. cel& me fait penser £ 
mon age & au votre, et ne voulant par quitter ce monde sans 
vous avoir donne quelque temoignange du respect que j’ai pour 
vous, je m’empresse £ vous fdliciter de votre retablissement, & 
vous remercier des bontds que vous avds efl pour moi et de celles 
que vous series encore disposd & avoir si j’en dois croire le rapport 
de quelques personnes avec lesquelles j’ai eu en differents terns 
l’occasion de parler de vous. receves done, Monsieur, l’expression 
de mon respect & de mon affection, si vous voules bien me per- 
mettre ce dernier sentiment. Vives longtems, vivds heureux, & 
soyds assurd que mon coeur vous est tout ddvoud. 

J’ai l’honneur de vous saluer. 


B [?] Delamotte. 



22 


American Jewish Historical Society. 


Jeffeeson and David S. Pranks. 1 

XVII. 

[Jefferson Papers. Series 2, Vol. 33, p. 1.] 

Franks to Jefferson. 

Bordeaux 1. Jany. 1785. 

Dear Sir 

I did not intend doing myself the honor of writing to you until 
my arrival at Marseilles, from whence you were so kind as to 
permit me to correspond with you. A variety of circumstances 
have combined to keep me from thence much longer than I ex¬ 
pected; and I will not any further deprive myself the Pleasure 
of enquiring after your Health, and of wishing you many returns 
of the present season, attended by every blessing you can desire 
for you and yours. 

As you were allways kind enough to interest yourself in my 
little Concerns, I have to inform you that my expectations are 
far from being answered in my Business at Marseilles; the Let¬ 
ters I have re!cd. from America respecting the situation of her 
trade, those I have from London and Paris; all seem to point out 
the improbability of succeeding there at present, and as no Salary 
is allowed to Vice Consuls I shall really be in a very disagreeable 
situation at that place. Every account from Paris confirms me 
in the opinion that a war will soon break out between the Em¬ 
peror and the Dutch and their allies; if there was a possibility 
of being employed in the french Army, I should with pleasure 
join it—I do not wish to follow the profession of a Soldier of 
Fortune, but I do assure you my dear Sir that my circumstances 
are such as to induce me to accept of any thing that would be 
honorable and profitable. I should certainly perfer being em¬ 
ployed in the Service of my Country to all others, but I do not 
see any immediate prospect of so pleasing a circumstance— 

I beg Sir you will pardon the Liberty I take in opening myself 
to you in this manner, as I know no one in whose indulgence I 
can so fully confide and you will confer an additional obligation 
by informing me what prospect I may have of succeeding in an 
application—The Marquis de Chatelux, we hear is appointed one 

1 Gp. Publications of the American Jewish Historical Society, 
No. 1, pp. 76-86; No. 4, pp. 81-87; No. 10, pp. 101-108, 166-168; 
No. 16, pp. 25-27; No. 18, p. 210; “The Jewish Encyclopedia,” 
Vol. V, article “ David S. Pranks”; Jewish Comment, September 
29 and October 6, 1899; Magazine of History, August, 1906. 



Thomas Jefferson and American Jews — Itohler. 23 


of the Generals, he knows me and would perhaps interest himself 
in my favor; if his military family is not compleat I should be 
hhppy to serve under him—Mr. Barclay is here and intends soon 
going to Paris; I waited at Nantes nigh two months for him, to 
come to this place and to take my final instructions from him— 
I pray my Compts. to Miss Jefferson and Col. Humphries and that 
you would believe me to be Dear Sir, with the greatest Respect, 
Your most obt. and obliged humble Servt. 

Davd. S. Franks. 

XVIII. 

[Jefferson Papers. Series 2, Vol. 33, p. 4.] 

Franks to Jefferson. 

Mr De Chateaumon the Gentleman who Mr. Carmichael desired 
me to present to your Excellency has been with me this morning 
to know if it would be agreeable to you to receive him this after¬ 
noon I should be glad to know your Excellency’s pleasure and 
will act accordingly—My Trunks are not yet arrived as soon as 
they are shall be ready to go immediately I hope that two or three 
days more will bring them, I have the honor to be 
Your Excellencys 

Most obt. obliged Svt 

Dav’d. S. Franks 

XIX. 

[Jefferson Papers. Series 2, Vol. 33, p. 6.] 

Franks to Jefferson. 

I wished Your Excellency to have accepted of the Moorish Coins 
as a very small mark of the attachment which I have allways 
had for you and when I presented them it was with that Inten¬ 
tion—Besides I owe you two hundred livres which you kindly 
lent me at a time when I very much wanted it and for which 
tho’ I can repay you I shall not think myself quit of the obliga¬ 
tion—I shall have the pleasure of seeing you when we will Settle 
and at the same time I may have an opportunity of assuring you 
how much I am my dear Sir 

Your Excellency’s most obt. 

and obliged Sevt. 

Davd. S. Franks 

I have retained the money having 
opened the packet first—Mr. 

Chateaumont lives at the 
Hotel de Valois Rue Vantadour 


24 


American Jewish Historical Society. 


XX. 

[Jefferson Papers. Series 2, Yol. 33, p. 7.] 

Franks to Jefferson. 

Paris 17th. June 1785 

Dear Sir 

A disappointment in my expectations of remittances from 
America has brought me into great distress; My time I find will 
be lost in waiting untill affairs are settled with ye Algiereens 
etc., I wish therefore to return as soon as possible, this cannot 
be effected untill my debts are paid, if you will kindly assist 
me in doing it, I will immediately on my arrival at Philadelphia 
transmit you the Money you may advance for me or pay it to any 
one there you may order—It is in confidence of your goodness 
that I am induced to apply to you, fully conscious that on, or 
shortly after my arrival at Philadelphia, I shall be able to repay 
you and shall allways acknowledge the obligation with gratitude 

I am Dear Sir with much 
respect 

Your very humble sevt. 

Honbl. Thos. Jefferson Esqr. Davd. S. Franks 

XXI. 

[Jefferson Papers. Series 2, Vol. 33, p. 8.] 

Jefferson to Franks. 

Paris June 17. 1785. 

Dear Sir 

Your letter of this day distresses me not a little as it finds me 
utterly unable to give you the assistance needed, my outfit here, 
for the articles of furniture, clothes and carriage only has cost 
me fifteen hundred guineas, no allowance of this kind being 
made I have been obliged to run in debt for it. the uneasiness 
which this has given me for some time past has preyed on my 
spirits night and day. and indeed my situation is not a little 
delicate, the laws not giving remedy against me, the first creditor 
whom I can neither pay nor prevail on to wait, carries his com¬ 
plaint to the king immediately, and exposes me of necessity to 
censure and recall, these circumstances have not only reduced 
me to a rigid economy, but render it impossible for me either to 
advance money or further hazard my credit. I am fully sensible 
that this information may be distressing to you, and this in¬ 
creases the pain with which I communicate it. I am unhappily 


Thomas Jefferson and American Jews — Kohler. 25 


in a condition to feel much for your difficulties without a power 
to lessen them, nothing would have been more pleasing to me 
than the exercise of such a power, as I am with real esteem Dr. 
Sir 


Your most obedt. humble servt. 

Th: Jefferson 


XXII. 

[Jefferson Papers. Series 1, Yol. 2, p. 199.] 

Jefferson to Franks. 

My anxiety, my dear Sir, on the detention of the Marocco treaty, 
is inexpressible however cogent and necessary the motives which 
detain you, I should be deemed inexcusable were I to let so safe 
an opportunity as that by Colo Blackden pass without sending 
the papers on to London, mr Jay complained that a treaty 
signed in June was not ratified in October, what will they say 
when they shall observe that the same treaty does not reach them 
till March, nine months? in the mean time our whole commerce 
is paying a heavy tax for insurance till it’s publication, can you 
fix a day as early as Monday or Tuesday for your departure 
whether your baggage arrives or not? or would you rather de¬ 
cline the going with the papers? in the former case, if your 
baggage does not arrive before your departure, any orders you 
may think proper to leave respecting it shall be punctually exe¬ 
cuted. I can send it to Mr Limosin at Havre so that it may go 
to America in the February packet. I shall see you at the Mar¬ 
quis’s to-day and we will speak about this matter. 

Thursday Jan. 11. 1787 

Colo. Franks— 

XXIII. 

[Jefferson Papers. Series 1, Vol. 2, p. 228.] 

A. L. S. Jefferson to Franks. 

Paris Feb. 8. 1787. 

Dear Sir 

I suspect that among the papers you took from hence were two 
letters, the one intended for a joint one from Mr. Adams and 
myself to Mr. Barclay, and the other intended to be joint like¬ 
wise to the Marocco minister. I think you will find these stuffed 
in between the red marocco of the treaty box and the lid of the 
box. pray search for them and return them to me by the first 
post, perhaps there may be in the same place some other papers 


26 


American Jewish Historical Society. 


not intended for America; tho I recollect no others, health, 
happiness, and a fair passage to you and am with esteem Dr Sir 

P S. be as good as to write me a your friend and Svt. 
line of your safe arrival the moment Th: Jefferson 

you land in America. 

Colo. Franks 

XXIV. 

[Jefferson Papers. Series 2, Vol. 33, p. 5.] 

Franks to Jefferson. 

Havre le 10th. Feb. 1787 

Dear Sir 

We came here late last night the roads and a broken Carriage 
having retarded us on the way longer than we had any reason 
to expect—In looking over my Papers this morning I found that 
the ratification of the Treaty together with the letter to Taker 
Fennish to be sent to Morocco were in the Box—I therefore take 
the offer of Mr. Lemosin to send them to you by the first safe 
hand. Permit me my dear Sir at parting to assure you that my 
Heart feels every sentiment of gratitude and attachment to you 
for the many marks of Friendship which you have shown me 
since my stay in France and that it will always be my endeavor 
to merit the good opinion I flatter myself you have of me—I 
pray you would be so kind as to present my best Respects to Mr 
Short and believe me Dear Sir 

Your Excelly. most 
obt. obliged Svt. 

D: S. Franks 

I believe we shall sail in a few hours—beg you would forward 
the enclosed letter— 

I do myself the pleasure of inclosing you a Note which may by 
an accident serve to acquit my pecuniary obligations to you— 

His Excelly. Mr. Jefferson 


XXV. 


[Jefferson Papers. Series 2, Vol. 33, p. 3.] 

Franks to Jefferson. 

Havre de Grace 11th. Feby. 1787 

Dear Sir, 

Before I had received your Excellency’s Letter of the 8th. I had 
made up the inclosed Packet and had given it to Mr. Limousin 


Thomas Jefferson and American Jews — Kohler. 27 

who had promised to send it by the first safe hand, hut as you 
desire the papers may be sent by Post I now forward them to 
you; I mean the Copy ratified of the Treaty with the letter to 
Taker Fennish, That, intended for Mr. Barclay is not among my 
Papers, I have made the most exact search for it in Vain, I think 
it must be where the Box containing the Treaty used to stand, 
nigh the fire place in your Study. 

I do myself the Honor of sending you a rough draft of a 
Letter I had written to Mr. Jay; fortunately I have not now any 
occasion to send it, as by contrary winds the Packet is detained 
and we have got (with much difficulty) Permission to embark. 
It appears that after the Ships Books are closed at 5 oClock in 
the Evening of the 9th. of every Month, that no person can be 
admitted on board even tho’ the Vessel should be detained a 
day or two by any accident; dispatches from any foreign Min¬ 
ister coming under the same circumstances unless accompanied 
by an order from the Marl, de Castries would be rejected—The 
Letter I intended for Mr. Jay I would have been obliged to have 
smuggled into the Ship. 

This Regulation must be productive of many disappointments 
and must serve to disgust our Countrymen from embarking in 
French Packet-Boats. Capt. Daboville informs me that at L’Ori- 
ent no such rule was followed and that before the ship left the 
Coast any Passenger or Packet might be put on board. I thought 
it my Duty to inform Your Excellency of this Circumstance as 
it might have occasioned you some disappointment If the French 
Ministry mean to encourage this communication between the two 
Countries they should remove every natural impediment in their 
power, and avoid throwing any Bans in the way—Bad Ships and 
but indifferent Seamen I reckon among the former and the regu¬ 
lation before mentioned and some others among the Latter— 
The Ship we are now going to imbark in is by no means a bad 
one in point of strength, but as to sailing I suppose that no 
Ship in France can be much more dull—We have seen the Vessel 
built in America and which is to sail next month for the West 
Indies—it is hardly possible to form at a distance a proper Idea 
of the difference on Comparison—she is the most beautiful Vessel 
I ever saw. 

Another Circumstance I beg leave to mention to Your Excel¬ 
lency and which will not a little contribute to throw our Country¬ 
men farther at a distance from sailing in French Packets, I mean 
the impertinence of the Director Mr. Ruillan, whose conduct to 


28 


American Jewish Historical Society. 


us under any other Circumstances would have procured him a 
proper Chastisement—I am informed that he has also on several 
Occasions treated the American Crews in a very arbitrary and 
unbecoming manner and that many of them thereby have deserted 
from their Ships. He Seems to enjoy an universal bad Character. 

We have repacked your Acorns as you directed and with great 
Care—I pray my best Compliments to Mr. Short and am Dear Sir 
With much Respect and Esteem 

Your Excellencys most obt. 
obliged Servant 

His Excellency Davd. S. Franks 

Tho. Jefferson 

In all probability we shall be detained some days more as the 
wind is contrary and very violent should be glad of a line from 
your Excell— 


XXVI. 

[Jefferson Papers. Series 2, Vol. 33, p. 2.] 

Draft. Franks to John Jay. 

Havre de Grace 10th. Feby. 1787 
Sir 

I came here last night at 11 oClock in Consequence of the 
advice and Permission of their Excellencies Mr. Adams and Mr. 
Jefferson charged with the Treaty made by Mr. Barclay with the 
Emperor of Morocco and on applying this morning to Capt. Dabo- 
ville for a Passage on board his Paquet Boat to New York, he 
told me that I must address myself to Mr. Ruilland director of 
the P. B and pay my passage money to him—Then he would 
receive my things and me on Board— 

I went immediately to Mr. Ruilland who gave me for answer 
“ that all the expeditions for the ship were made out and that 
unless I could get a positive order from Mr. Mistrael intendant 
of the Marine he could not permit me to embark—in consequence 
I went to this latter Gentleman who told me that it was not in 
his Power to give any such order and that I must again apply to 
the Director of the Paquet Boats Mr. Ruilland who on my second 
application peremptorily refused me—I communicated my Busi¬ 
ness to both these Gent, and at same time represented the ill 
consequences which might arrise from the Treaty not going in 
this Paquet and with all the arguments that I could possibly make 
use of urged them to allow me to embark—Mr. Lenogin a Capital 


Thomas Jefferson and American Jews — Kohler. 29 

Merchant and who acts as American Consul here went with me 
to Mr. Mistrael and made use of all his influence to as little 
purpose the Vessell does not go off till 3 oClock this afternoon, 
I thought it my Duty to inform Your Excellency of the Reason 
for my not embarking, with the Treaty by this opportunity— 

I could draw no other from the director of the Paquets than 
that the Dispatches for the Ship were made out and that he 
positively would not give the order (without which the Capt) 
could not receive me on board— 

I hope your Excellency will be assured that every thing was 
done on my Part and that no detention of the Paquet Boats was 
requested or desired by me, being in every point at 6 oClock this 
morning ready to embark, I shall write immediately to Mr. Jeffer¬ 
son and follow his orders have to act in Consequence and ansr. 
etc. etc. 


XXVII. 

[Jefferson Papers. Series 2, Vol. 6, p. 10 a.] 

Butler to Jefferson . 2 

Ship Della ware March ye. 27th /92— 

Dear Sir 

I call’d this morning to take a personal leave, and also to re¬ 
quest your friendly interference in behalf of Major Franks, whose 
present situation is far from elligible—If you find it consistent 
to place Him on a better Establishment I shall feel myself under 
an Obligation to You 

I have the honor to be with sentiments of real Esteem and 
regard 

Dear Sir— 

Yr Most Obedt. Servt. 

P Butler— 


Will you at your leisure think of the Bristol Consul? 


2 This letter is of special interest as it refers to David S. Franks 
after the Scioto settlers had left for Ohio, and seems to be the 
last documentary evidence regarding him, unless he can be identi¬ 
fied with the David Franks who was assistant cashier of the Bank 
of North America at Philadelphia in 1791. Gp. Publications of 
the American Jewish Historical Society , No. 1, p. 85; No. 16, p. 
27; Magazine of History, August, 1906. 

4 




30 IQll 


30 


American Jewish Historical Society. 


Other letters in this collection from Francis Da Costa, 
dated Philadelphia, November 20, 1804, and Philip Myer, 
dated Washington, March 19., 1802, contain nothing of Jewish 
interest. Moreover, the Jewish identity of the writers is un¬ 
certain. 



































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